Christina Hendricks on the Future of Mad Men

And, of course, what you should be drinking

Between Mad Men and being the brand ambassador for Johnnie Walker, let alone the fact that she's a beautiful and charming woman, it's about impossible to not love Christina Hendricks. We caught up with her between takes of her upcoming movie (Ryan Gosling's How to Catch a Monster) to get her take on pizza, Scotch, Detroit, and the rest of Mad Men.

ESQUIRE.COM: You're in Detroit right now?

CHRISTINA HENDRICKS: I am in Detroit, yeah.

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ESQ: How long have you been out there?

CH: Gosh, it's been a couple weeks.

ESQ: How are you liking it? It can be a bit of culture shock.

CH: It really is. It's unlike any American city I've ever been in. And it's a bit shocking when you first get here, but then you just discover all these great little gems about the city. But the overall appearance when you first arrive is quite shocking.

ESQ: Any go-to spots?

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CH: I think I might have had the best pizza I've ever had in my life the other day at Supino. It kind of blew my mind. This is a pretty bold statement 'cause I've had many pizzas in my day, but I think this is the best I've ever had. And my husband was like, "I think you're right. I think this is the best pizza." And he used to work at pizza places, so he's like Mr. Pizza. It was amazing.

CH: Yeah, it's called How to Catch a Monster. It's sort of like a modern-day dark fairy tale. It's got some reality and surreal aspects combined. I play a mother protecting her two boys and trying to keep a home for them, and my son discovers an underwater city, and it's a beautiful script. Really interesting.

ESQ: Is it set in Detroit, or does this just happen to be where you're filming?

CH: It is sort of a nameless city.

ESQ: Got it. And you linked up with Ryan Gosling because of Drive?

CH: Yeah, that's where we met. And he called me about a year later and said, "I'm doing a film. Would you be interested?" And of course I was super-excited.

ESQ: I'm guessing shooting on location has to be different than shooting in a studio, like on Mad Men.

CH: Yeah, it's completely different. In every possible way.

ESQ: On Mondays do people hound you about last night's episode?

CH: No, no one even mentions it. In fact, I forget it was on the other night. I don't think I get AMC in the hotel.

CH: I don't normally hear much of it. I mean every once in a while if there is a little bit of buzz because we got something wrong, I'll hear about that. But I always just think it's kind of funny. I'm flattered that people are looking that closely and care that much. I think it's cool.

ESQ: It's amazing that level of attention isn't just for sci-fi anymore.

CH: Yeah. I sort of feel like Mad Men fans are like sci-fi fans because they are very, very devoted, and they're very loyal and very excited about it.

ESQ: I wouldn't be surprised to see you guys at Comic-Con.

CH: Exactly. '60s Con. There are enough movies and shows that take place in the '60s now. We could do that.

ESQ: You guys definitely started a cultural wave. Now you're reaching the end of the '60s. I feel like Joan, style-wise, has maintained a pretty consistent look compared to, say, Peggy or Pete.

CH: Or Pete! Interesting. What's the change in Pete that you see?

ESQ: Mainly the balding.

CH: Oh, yeah. They do shave his head every morning when he comes in. Which I think is awesome, that he's willing to do that.

ESQ: What dedication.

CH: And Peggy has definitely changed. Her character probably is the one that changes the most, not just in her fashion and in her look, but in herself. So I think she's a constantly evolving person, you know? Joan knows what works for her. You'll see her in the groovier fabrics and necklines and different things, but when you know what works for you, you stick with it.

ESQ: Are you looking forward to where it's going, or are you nervous about where things end up for her?

CH: Well, I already shot it all. I already know what happens.

ESQ: Well, are you excited for us to find out?

CH: Yes. I'm constantly excited. Matt Weiner always writes things that I would never fathom, twists and turns that we are constantly excited about when we read the scripts. So I feel that every week there is a bit of a surprise. Every week there is some wonderful little nugget of something I think.

ESQ: And we don't know what or when it's going to happen.

CH: We don't know. I know. I don't even like to tell my friends. I don't tell my husband. I don't tell anyone. They all like to see it as it unfolds. Even my friends will be like, "Don't tell me what happens! Don't tell me what you shot today!" I'm like, "I won't."

ESQ: Do you want to? Or does your loyalty make you protective?

CH: I'm very, very protective of it. But I also know that it's more enjoyable to the viewer, so it's much cooler to let them see it on their own.

ESQ: You're telling us to drink Johnnie Walker these days.

CH: I'm not telling you. I'm just suggesting that you should try it.

ESQ: You're strongly and very flirtatiously suggesting that we should try it—

CH: I'm saying that I like it, and you might like it, too.

ESQ: Are you an actual Scotch drinker?

CH: I am, I am. That's how the whole thing came about with Johnnie Walker. I had done an interview with you guys and they asked me what a man should drink, and I said Scotch. I was sort of intrigued by it years ago. I'd slowly over the years order myself one. And now that I've been working with Johnnie Walker, I've learned more about it. I have a whole new appreciation for it and much more knowledge about it. I think it's always more fun when you really know a lot about what it is, whether it's what you're cooking, or your wine, or Scotch.

ESQ: And now you have an endless supply of Black Label to educate yourself with, so that doesn't hurt.

CH: Exactly. That is a nice thing.

ESQ: I was looking back at that same interview you did with us. You said men shouldn't wear tank tops or shorts that go below the knee. That's good advice.

CH: I stand by that statement. I stand by it!

ESQ: You're definitely right. Although you unfortunately see more tank tops these days.

CH: I just don't get it. I just feel like it's very exposed, I don't know. It seems strange to me. It's like women wearing midriff tops. It feels too exposed.

ESQ: Your other rule was that no man should be on Facebook.

CH: Oh, yeah. See, now everyone is having a backlash, aren't they? Everyone is like, "Oh, that wasn't such a great idea." I think even since I did that interview, there are more people that are not on it, though.